The Offensive Line Played Bad, But So Did Matt Ryan: Here's the Film.

[ChickenBiscuit]

A lot of posters have been frustrated with Matt Ryan, which seems outrageous to the diehard fans given all of his success and accolades he's accumulated over his career. He is the best QB to ever play for Atlanta, and probably will be for a long time after his time is up. So these guys that are saying Ryan is at fault for some of these sacks are surely just ****-posters right? 

Well, let's go over the film. And  I'm not @PeytonMannings Forehead and I don't have the knowledge to name every single route concept or defensive coverage, but I'll try my best to sort through some of this madness. This is going to be a learning experience for all of us, so bare with me.

Here's the first play of the game.

The Saints are lined up in cover 3 with a single high safety, so DK immediately calls a play to attack the flats to get the offense in rhythm.

Before the play starts, Freeman is motioned out of the backfield and into the slot on the bottom side of the screen. Before the play even starts, you can tell who's going to be open based off of alignments alone.

Ryan scans the right side of the field before looking to his left. 

Ryan sees it, but doesn't pull the trigger. This play is designed for Ryan to get the ball out quickly. And instead of a short completion, this happens. 

Ryan looks back to his right hoping to God for a safety blanket, but the plays already dead. 

This play will count as a sack on Matthews, but really that's on Ryan. And once it's 2nd and 17, it's difficult for an OC to scheme you out of that hole. The drive resulted in a 3-and-out.

PLAY #2:

On this play, I want you to keep an eye on Gage and the Saints safety on the bottom half of the screen

This is Ryan's first read, he could make this throw, but it's risky because the safety is coming downhill with a full head of steam. The only way it can happen is if Ryan gets the ball out quick, and even then it would rely on Russell Gage being able to make a play in open space. 

Could've pulled the trigger, but Ryan is understandably cautious but here's the part I don't understand. You should NOT be getting sacked with this clean of a pocket. Even if no one is open because the perfect throw isn't there, you have a clear running lane to pick up a few yards at least. 

Ryan still sees nothing, is still holding onto the ball and just starts to panic at this point. 

Ryan holds onto the ball for too long, the pocket starts to collapse, and he just kind of falls over at this point.

PLAY #3: 

This play actually didn't result in a sack. Ryan just throws the ball away. But he really didn't have to, at all. Pay attention to Christian Blake on the bottom side of the screen. 

Christian Blake is actually wide open for almost the entire duration of this play. It's a checkdown sure, but you're in the redzone and you should live to fight another down.

Ryan actually has a pocket here. He has to step into it, but it's there and so is the checkdown. But instead of just making the throw, he panics and scrambles out to his right.

And it looks like he could've *maybe* ran this but right before this snip was taken he kind of just trips, starts stumbling, loses momentum and just has to throw it away.

And this is the part where he just throws it away. It was the right decision at THIS point in the play, but only because he kind of left the pocket for no reason. There's actually not that much pressure on this play.

That drive we ended up going for it on 4th and 1, and then Ryan missed a wide open Calvin Ridley for a TD.

 

Edited November 29, 2019 by ChickenBiscuit

[ChickenBiscuit]

There are a LOT of plays like this, and I'm not done but I just posted this thread before I could finish it because my computer sucks and could give out at any moment. I'm in the process of posting the rest of them.

A lot of the sacks later on in the game are just McGary and our interior getting manhandled and I want to be fair to Ryan, so just please bare with me.

[ChickenBiscuit]

Also if you want to fact check me to make sure I"m not being biased the full-game footage is available at nflfullhd.com 

I don't have the all-22, unfortunately. These types of threads take forever just because of all the different image hosting sites you have to post the snippets to in order to embed them into the post.

[since68andcounting]

It definitely seems to me that the games where Ryan struggles are the ones where he second guesses himself on pulling the trigger. Once you have the first instinct and see a guy open, it's gotta be "don't think meat, just throw". You will throw some picks occasionally that way but you'll get your Offense in a rhythm.

Even the high quality announcing team called out Matt a couple times. (Thank God we didn't have to endure Collingsworth last night!)

But just like the people saying it's all on Dirk are wrong, the ones saying it's all on Matt are wrong. It takes a team to win. It takes a team to lose.

[81KJW]

6 minutes ago, ChickenBiscuit said:

A lot of posters have been frustrated with Matt Ryan, which seems outrageous to the diehard fans given all of his success and accolades he's accumulated over his career. He is the best QB to ever play for Atlanta, and probably will be for a long time after his time is up. So these guys that are saying Ryan is at fault for some of these sacks are surely just ****-posters right? 

Well, let's go over the film. And  I'm not @PeytonMannings Forehead and I don't have the knowledge to name every single route concept or defensive coverage, but I'll try my best to sort through some of this madness. This is going to be a learning experience for all of us, so bare with me.

Here's the first play of the game.

The Saints are lined up in cover 3 with a single high safety, so DK immediately calls a play to attack the flats to get the offense in rhythm.

Before the play starts, Freeman is motioned out of the backfield and into the slot on the bottom side of the screen. Before the play even starts, you can tell who's going to be open based off of alignments alone.

Ryan scans the right side of the field before looking to his left. 

Ryan sees it, but doesn't pull the trigger. This play is designed for Ryan to get the ball out in 2.5 seconds. And instead of a short completion, this happens. 

Ryan looks back to his right hoping to God for a safety blanket, but the plays already dead. 

This play will count as a sack on Matthews, but really that's on Ryan. And once it's 2nd and 17, it's difficult for an OC to scheme you out of that hole. The drive resulted in a 3-and-out.

PLAY #2:

On this play, I want you to keep an eye on Gage and the Saints safety on the bottom half of the screen

This is Ryan's first read, he could make this throw, but it's risky because the safety is coming downhill with a full head of steam. The only way it can happen is if Ryan gets the ball out quick, and even then it would rely on Russell Gage being able to make a play in open space. 

Could've pulled the trigger, but Ryan is understandably cautious but here's the part I don't understand. You should NOT be getting sacked with this clean of a pocket. Even if no one is open because the perfect throw isn't there, you have a clear running lane to pick up a few yards at least. 

Ryan still sees nothing, is still holding onto the ball and just starts to panic at this point. 

 

Ryan holds onto the ball for too long, the pocket starts to collapse, and he just kind of falls over at this point.

PLAY #3: 

This play actually didn't result in a sack. Ryan just throws the ball away. But he really didn't have to, at all. Pay attention to Christian Blake on the bottom side of the screen. 

 

Christian Blake is actually wide open for almost the entire duration of this play. It's a checkdown sure, but you're in the redzone and you should live to fight another down.

Ryan actually has a pocket here. He has to step into it, but it's there and so is the checkdown. But instead of just making the throw, he panics and scrambles out to his left.

And it looks like he could've *maybe* ran this but right before this snip was taken he kind of just trips, starts stumbling, loses momentum and just has to throw it away.

And this is the part where he just throws it away. It was the right decision at THIS point in the play, but only because he kind of left the pocket for no reason. There's actually not that much pressure on this play.

 

8

I've no idea what are you talking about.  you do realize all I have read here is fire QD and TD.  our OL is not good. that's it

 

[mattyicefalcon]

Ryan will NEVER win Superbowl for Falcons.

I've had it....been his strongest supporter ever.

But, I'll not hold back. Proof is there. Game after game especially, must win games he has failed to deliver. You take out 2016 out of his career. 

You will see a refined Andy Dalton / Joe Flacco at best.

A garbage time stats master.

Ravens moved on from Superbowl winning Q.B who has similar mechanics as Ryan more or less. They also had similar issues while he was there....just couldnt protect him or he failed to make plays when it mattered.

What did Ravens do?  They embraced the future and made gut checking calls had a major overhaul on offense.....brought in the FUTURE OF NFL Q.Bs.

Results are proven.

We have to draft a new Q.B no matter what happens and most importantly, COMMIT to defensive or offensive IDENTITY...and build off that.

This team fails to show us what they are about week in and week out.

Nobody knows what to expect.

Time has come NOW to make major changes.

What will Mr.Blank do?

[Vandy]

When you’re under assault like Matt was last night, of course he’s going to look bad. I don’t care who you are....Brady, Brees, Montana, Marino or whoever. They are going to look bad when opponent tees off on you. 

Our OL got their azzes handed to them, both in pass protection and in running game, and our QB got clobbered accordingly. They should be ashamed. I was embarrassed. 

[FalconsIn2012]

1 minute ago, Vandy said:

When your under assault like Matt was, of course he’s going to look bad. I don’t care who you are....Brady, Brees, whoever.

Our OL got their azzes handed to them, and our QB got clobbered accordingly. They should be ashamed. 

This is why you don’t give up a 3rd for McGary.  

[UGABOZ]

Great points oline was bad as was ryan 

[ChickenBiscuit]

PLAY #4: 

On this play, I'd like you to pay attention to Freeman and McGary. McGary gets worked on this play, but he plays it juuust well enough to give Ryan the ability to step up.

Now THIS is one of those "long-developing" route concepts we hear about on the boards all the time. Everyone's route is longer than 10 yards outside of Freeman and #85. And Freeman is totally wide open on first down. It's not the flashy play, but if they're just going to give you an easy checkdown you should make it.

Instead, Ryan overthrows (?, he may have been trying to throw it away, I'm unsure) and the play is dead. Another example of just not taking what the defense gives you. Guys, seriously, there's not even a soul around Freeman.

 

Edited November 29, 2019 by ChickenBiscuit

[ChickenBiscuit]

16 minutes ago, Vandy said:

When your under assault like Matt was last night, of course he’s going to look bad. I don’t care who you are....Brady, Brees, whoever. They are going to look bad when opponent tees off on you. 

Our OL got their azzes handed to them, both in pass protection and in running game, and our QB got clobbered accordingly. They should be ashamed. 

nah man, I don't like this take. The OL wasn't even that bad in the first half of the game. They fell apart in the second half due to lack of adjustments but some of these are just basic reads that Ryan is flat-out missing. 

[tldr]

Homers will say it's photoshopped

[Vandy]

2 minutes ago, ChickenBiscuit said:

nah man, I don't like this take. The OL wasn't even that bad in the first half of the game. They fell apart in the second half due to lack of adjustments but some of these are just basic reads that Ryan is flat-out missing. 

So you’re evaluating Matt for a half?

Not sure which game you were watching. Our OL got abused all game long. And the play-calling was god-awful. 

[ChickenBiscuit]

Just now, Vandy said:

So you’re evaluating Matt for a half? Not sure which game you were watching. Our OL got abused all game long. And the play-calling was god-awful. 

Which one of the plays I pointed out were dead plays due to play-calling? What call would you have made?

[ChickenBiscuit]

I'm still adding plays by the way, these threads take a LONG time.

[Vandy]

18 minutes ago, ChickenBiscuit said:

Which one of the plays I pointed out were dead plays due to play-calling? What call would you have made?

You can take a few plays and point to Ryan’s poor adjustments, sure. I’m okay you saying he had an overall bad game. But so would have every other QB in NFL under same circumstances. I’ve seen Brady, Peyton Manning, Montana, Marino et al all have bad games when playing under similar circumstances. 
 

And we’ll see Lamar Jackson play Just as poorly as well.

again, you cannot fairly evaluate a QB in a game when he’s teed off like ryan was in this one. 

[quotemokc]

The 2nd image looks like a high chance of being picked if he throws it where you want him to throw it.

Its bad play design to be in a 5 wide and have no quick pass to the middle of the field.

[falconfansince66]

2 minutes ago, mattyicefalcon said:

Ryan will NEVER win Superbowl for Falcons.

I've had it....been his strongest supporter ever.

But, I'll not hold back. Proof is there. Game after game especially, must win games he has failed to deliver. You take out 2016 out of his career. 

You will see a refined Andy Dalton / Joe Flacco at best.

A garbage time stats master.

Ravens moved on from Superbowl winning Q.B who has similar mechanics as Ryan more or less. They also had similar issues while he was there....just couldnt protect him or he failed to make plays when it mattered.

What did Ravens do?  They embraced the future and made gut checking calls had a major overhaul on offense.....brought in the FUTURE OF NFL Q.Bs.

Results are proven.

We have to draft a new Q.B no matter what happens and most importantly, COMMIT to defensive or offensive IDENTITY...and build off that.

This team fails to show us what they are about week in and week out.

Nobody knows what to expect.

Time has come NOW to make major changes.

What will Mr.Blank do?

Not only did the Ravens bring in a new QB, they dumped a HUGE $alary with Flake-O therefore allowing them to spend $$ on the defense and O-Line. 

I've always liked Matty Ice and have always taken up for him but this past week, I've seen a QB that is really starting to regress. I saw our WR's open for potential TD's in at least four-five times last night and they were targeted twice. Both WR's had to STOP and wait for the ball and of course the DB's who closed in on them to make the play (one was fortunately an interference call).  Not only that, holding the ball too long as ChickenBiscuit pointed out cost him and especially our very weak offensive line big time. Like "Coach" announced last night, "Ryan's got to get the ball out even if it's just a throw out of bounds if nothing is there."  Well, there was at least one time he threw it out when someone was open and there were like six or seven times he should've thrown the ball out to avoid a sack. 

Matt Ryan - Sorry Matty, you've been a great QB for us for over ten years and nearly brought home the Lombardi trophy and I appreciate all of your efforts. I know many fans want to see you continue your escalation in all time NFL QB records but either you've got to start earning your huge salary or pack your bags. I'm willing to give you a "Mulligan" for this season and hoping a changing of the 'guard' (coaching staff) will light another fire under you.  I do hope whoever comes in makes it a priority to find a QB in this year's draft or the next, that we can have the patience to 'learn' under MR2's guidance for a season or two (Kind of like Aaron Rodgers did at GB), and eventually start when the Falcons find a team needing an experienced QB like Matty, and get a decent trade value from him while he's still got some kind of value left. 

Mr Blank - The time has come for another 'complete' overhaul of your organization. Yes, this includes kicking a field goal this time and send TD (Rat Man) packing along with Quinn. The fans deserve a change (again) and it will be up to you to find competent and EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP to get what is a good group of players actually playing to their ceilings.  You need to make it known NOW that this is unacceptable and discharge BOTH of them so that we can start the search right away and get your due diligence done.  

[*Old Pappy Falcon*]

37 minutes ago, ChickenBiscuit said:

There are a LOT of plays like this, and I'm not done but I just posted this thread before I could finish it because my computer sucks and could give out at any moment. I'm in the process of posting the rest of them.

A lot of the sacks later on in the game are just McGary and our interior getting manhandled and I want to be fair to Ryan, so just please bare with me.

I appreciate the work myself chicken B. You got a lot of work!  lol, I've seen it all too many times.  At least you can explain it better.

[tldr]

6 minutes ago, ChickenBiscuit said:

I'm still adding plays by the way, these threads take a LONG time.

Please include Ridley being wide open in the ez.

[caponine]

Ryan was absolutely garbage last night. He made no adjustments. On that last drive  they got to him each and everytime. Dont you think at some point you change the play at the line ?? He's been doing this same bs for years. He is not as good as Brady, Brees and Rodgers are. He makes stupid decisions , takes way too many hits. Throws right to defenders. It's like this guy is playing like a rookie again. 

I also think this answers the question of who made who. Julio definitely made Ryan. If Julio was not on this team then Ryan may not have been that good. It shows he cant win a game without Julio. I understand now why football heads dont put Ryan in elite category. 

[GritsPittz]

36 minutes ago, since68andcounting said:

It definitely seems to me that the games where Ryan struggles are the ones where he second guesses himself on pulling the trigger. Once you have the first instinct and see a guy open, it's gotta be "don't think meat, just throw". You will throw some picks occasionally that way but you'll get your Offense in a rhythm.

Wonder how much that had to do with all the new young receivers we had out there.

[falconfansince66]

8 minutes ago, tldr said:

Please include Ridley being wide open in the ez.

Ridley was wide open when he had to wait for an underthrown pass as well. Got a PI call but had Ryan led him with his throw, that would've been a TD as well.  Ridley should've had two TD's last night on those two plays alone.

[Vandy]

11 minutes ago, caponine said:

Ryan was absolutely garbage last night. He made no adjustments. On that last drive  they got to him each and everytime. Dont you think at some point you change the play at the line ?? He's been doing this same bs for years. He is not as good as Brady, Brees and Rodgers are. He makes stupid decisions , takes way too many hits. Throws right to defenders. It's like this guy is playing like a rookie again. 

I also think this answers the question of who made who. Julio definitely made Ryan. If Julio was not on this team then Ryan may not have been that good. It shows he cant win a game without Julio. I understand now why football heads dont put Ryan in elite category. 

LOL

[ChickenBiscuit]

PLAY #5: 

Ridley motions from the left side of the field to the right, Saints are showing man coverage. DK dials up a great play-call here that gets Ridley wide open.

To be fair, Ryan does have a free rusher here. McGary got beat. He CAN make this throw but it's possible he'll get hit afterwards. Ridley is already wide open at this point in the play.

The guy ends up over-pursuing and Matt actually doesn't get hit on this play. But because Matt didn't want to take the hit, he doesn't step into this throw and ends up under-throwing Ridley on what would've been a surefire TD.

I'll split the blame 50/50 on McGary and Matt on this play. And that's really being generous, because the throw should've been made earlier than what it was. 

Edited November 29, 2019 by ChickenBiscuit